Moistening apparatus



Dec. 23, 1941. A- 1 LEVENHAGEN 2,266,880

MoIsTENING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1939 3 ShetS-Sheet l .tllllflflllAr/l 4 i W ,M

Dec. 23, 1941. A. J. LEVENHAGEN MOISTENING APPARATUS Filed April 13, 1939 3 SheeLs--Sheefl 2 riz gps.

Dec. 23, 1941. A, J. LEVENHAGEN MOISTENING APPARATUS Filed April 13, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 23, 1941 2,268,880 Mors'rENING APPARATUS Arthur .1. Levenhagen, Chicago, lll., assignor to Ditto, Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of West Virginia Application April 13, 1939, Serial No. 267,671

Claims.

The invention relates to moistening means and is particularly adapted to be embodied in duplicating machines to moisten the copy sheets with a solvent for copying ink.

In the accompanying drawings two forms oif the invention are shown embodied in a duplicating machine of the type wherein the data to be duplicated is typewritten or otherwise marked in. copying ink on a master sheet which is mounted upon aduplicating drum and against which the copy sheets are pressed one by one until the desired number of-copies have been obtained. The data to be duplicated is formed upon the master sheet with suitable copying ink and as each copy sheetl is advanced to the duplicating drum it is moistened with a solvent for the copying ink so that a slight amount of the copying ink is dissolved or softened during each copying operation to form the data upon the copy sheets. The improved moisteningmeans preferably comprises combined feeding and moistening rollers, the solvent being preferably sprayed or otherwise applied directly to one of the rollers so that it will moisten the copy sheets as they are advanced to the duplicating drum. Improved means is provided for distributing and controlling the amount of solvent on the roller.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, whereinf Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken through a duplicating machinewhich embodies one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, vertical, longitudinal section taken through the improved moistening means which form a part of the duplicating machine shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken Ion line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section taken through a duplicating machine which comprises moistening means embodying another form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken through a tube which forms part of the moistening means shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a tube which embodies another form ofthe invention and may be used in place of the tubes 21 and invention is illustrated, the reference character l0 designates generally the frame Aof a duplicating machine of the wet process type. Rotatably journaled in the frame I0 isa duplicating drum Il which may be rotated by any suitable means such as a crank (not shown). Means (not shown) is provided for attaching a master sheet to the drum Il and a platen or pressure roller 13"'is provided for pressing copy sheets against the master sheet as the drum II is rotated.

The master sheet is preferably made by typing or writing upon one side of a sheet of paper which has a carbon sheet contacting its other side so that the data to be duplicated appears in reverse' upon the other side of the sheet. Then when copy sheets are moistened with a suitable solvent for the carbon and are pressed against the master sheet by the platen roller I3, a very small amount of carbon is dissolved or softened each time a copy sheet is brought into contact with a masterv sheet so that the data. to be duplicated is copied on the copy sheet.

The improved means for applying the solvent to the copy sheets comprises rollers I5 and I6 which also. in the preferred forms of the invention, serve as feeding rollers to advance the copy sheets to the bight between the drum II and the platen roller I3. The roller I6 is carried by a shaft I1 which has its ends rotatably journaled in levers I8 pivoted upon stub shafts I9 mounted in the frame I0. Springs 20 yieldingly urge the levers I8 in a. direction to hold the roller I6 in contact with the roller I5.

The roller I5 is flxed to a shaft 22 which has its ends rotatably journaled in the frame I0. A pinion 23 fixed to the shaft 22 meshes with an idler pinion 24 and the idler pinion 24 meshes, in. turn, with a gear 25 with which the drum Il is constrained to rotate. Obviously, when the drum II is rotated the roller I5 will rotate in unison therewith and it will rotate the roller I6 through its frictional contact therewith.

Any suitable means may be provided for spraying or otherwise applying the solvent directly to the roller I5 but in the preferred forms of the invention the solvent is pumped to a perforated tube 21 disposed above the roller l5 so that the solvent will be sprayed through apertures 28 on the roller I5. The means for pumping the solvent to the tube 21 comprises,'in this instance, a reservoir 30 holding a supply of solvent. A pump 3| extends through the reservoir 30 and is adapted to pump the solvent through a tube 32, a check valve 33 and a ilexible tube 34 to a tube 35 which has a discharge end communicating with the tube 21 at a point substantially midway between its ends (Fig. 4). This insures equal distribution of the solvent to both ends of the tube 21. Of course, the apertures 23 are relatively small and are cloly spaced along the bottom side of the tube 21. The means for actuating the pump 3| comprises a lever 40 pivoted upon a pin 4|. A lever I2 pivoted upon the pin 4| has one end engageable with the lever III and. is provided at its other end with a roller I3 ensageable with a cam Il constrained to rotate with the gear 25.`

The cam M cooperates with a compression spring 45. to oscillate the lever 42 when the cam I4 is rotated. The details of construction of the pump 3| and the means for actuating it do not form a part of this invention and, therefore, are not` described in more detail. However, the pump 3| comprises a compression spring Bla which cooperates with the lever I to reciprocate a plunger 3|b forming part of the pump 3|.

Means is provided for spreading the solvent on the surface of the roller I5 and for controlling the amount of solvent which will adhere to the roller I5 to contact copy sheets passing between the rollers i5 and I6. This means preferably comprises a wiping element 5l which contacts the roller i5 and is preferably made from spongy material which will not absorb any appreciable quantity of the solvent. In practice it has been found that neoprene in sponge form gives exceedingly good results but in some instances it may be preferable to employ sponge rubber. v f

The wiping element 53 is in the form of a relatively long strip secured in a channel shaped holder 5| slidably journaled in a deep groove 52 formed in a bracket 53 which is mountedin the frame I0 (Fig. 2). A pair of screws 54 screwthreaded in the bracket 53 have ball and socket connections 5B with the holder 5|. Obviously the screws 54 may be manipulated to urge the wiper toward and away from the roller I5 and also to bring the wiper into adjusted positions so that its two ends will engage the roller I5 with equal pressure.

In the preferred construction a second wiper member is employed, the wiper member 5l being preferably formed from the same material as the wiper 50 and being mounted in a channel shaped holder i2 slidably journaled in a deep groove sa formed in the bracket n. A pair of screws M screwthreaded in the bracket 53 have ball and socket connections with the holder 32 and may be manipulated in the same manner as the screws 5l to bring the wiper 53 into adjusted positions with respect to the roller I5.

The machine is preferably provided with a table 10 adapted to support a stack of copy sheets (not shown) which may be advanced manually, one by one, to the bight -between the rollers I5 and I5 so that when these rollers rotate they will advance the copy sheets, one by one, to the bight between the drum and the platen roller I3. 'I'he platen roller I3 will press the moistened copy sheets against the master sheet on the drum and the copy sheets will then be discharged onto a tray 12a. mounted in the frame I0.

'Ihe solvent discharged on the roller I5 by the tube 21 is not distributed evenly `on the roller but the wipers 50 and 60 serve to distribute the solvent on the roller I5 and limit the amount of solvent which adheres to the roller I5 when it rotates into contact with the copy sheet. The

the thicknessof the lm of solvent which will adhere to the surface of the roller I5 as it passes from beneath the wipers 50 and 50.

. It is understood, of course. that the drum I I and the roller I5 rotate in counterclockwise directions (Fig. 2) and that the roller I6 is rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2). by the roller I5.

A master sheet Ia is shown in Fig. 2 upon the drum Il'.

Means is preferably provided for removing lint 5 from the roller I5 which has a tendency to pick up lint or fibres from the copy sheets. The lint removing means preferably comprises-a strip of felt I2 carried by a housing member 13 mounted upon the bracket 53. In some instances it may be desirable to make the strip 12 of sponge neoprene or sponge rubber.

Any suitable means may be provided for mounting the tube 21. In this instance the tube 21 extends through a plate 53a forming part of the bracket 53 and also has one end projecting into a sleeve l5 mounted upon a pin 1l projecting from the frame I0. A set screw 11 detach- -ably secures the sleeve 15 to the pin 1I. The

construction is such that the set screw may be loosened to permit the sleeve 15 to be moved to the right (Fig. 4) so that it will' be disengaged from the pin 15 whereupon the tube 21 and the tube 35 will be free to be lifted from the machine with the bracket 53 which is detachably secured in the frame by suitable means (not shown). Of course, before the tube 21 and the tube 35 can be lifted from the machine the flexible tube 34 must be disengaged from the tube 35.

As stated above the drum may be driven by a crank (not shown). For this purpose a shaft SII extends through one portion of the frame I5 and is provided with a pinion 8| which meshes with a gear 32 constrained to rotate with the drum and mounted on a shaft 35 upon which the drum is mounted. the shaft 38 being rotatably journaled in the frame I3.

The roller I5 is preferably formed from nonabsorbent material such as rubber or neoprene, the roller being finished preferably with a smooth unbroken surface. The roller I6 is preferably formed of absorbent material such as felt.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 wherein another form of the invention is illustrated, the reference character designates a duplicating drum which is substantially identical with the duplicating drum and is shown carrying a master sheet |||a which is preferably made in the same manner as the master sheet Ila. 'Ihe drum is mounted on a shaft |86 which corresponds to the shaft 36 described above, the shaft |33 being rotatably mounted in a frame IIII which is substantially identical with the frame III described above. Corresponding with the drum III is a platen or pressure roller ||3 which is substantially identical with the pressure roller I3 described above and is preferably mounted in the same manner. Means is provided for applying solvent to the copy sheets which are to be pressed against the master sheet |||a by the pressure roller H3. 'I'his means preferably comprises rollers II5 and I I6 mounted on shafts |22 and ||1, respectively, the shaft ||1 being carried by levers H3 pivoted upon stub shafts I|3 projecting from the frame IIB.

Springs |20 yieldingly urge the levers ||8 in a screws 54 and 64 may be manipulated to vary 75 21 described above and is Provided with apertures |28 is supplied with solvent by any suitable means (not shown) such as for instance a reservoir and a pump substantially identical with the reservoir 30 and the pump 3| described above. Of course, the solvent is sprayed on the roller H5 through the apertures |28.

Improved means is provided for spreading the solvent upon the surface of the roller ||5 so that a thin film thereof of substantially equal thickness throughout will be advanced to and applied on the upper surfaces of copy sheets passing between the rollers H5 and H5. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the rollers H5 and H6 also function as feed rollers and advance the copy sheets to the bight between the drum H| and the pressure roller ||3.

The means for spreading the solvent on the roller H5 and for limiting the amount of solvent which is passed to the copy sheets comprises a strip |90 of fine sponge rubber or sponge neoprene, the term fine being employed to indicate that the openings in the rubber are relatively small. The strip |90 is held in the housing or bracket |92 which is pivoted to the frame H by pins |93. Compression springs |94 yieldingly urge the bracket |92 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. around the pins |93 and, therefore, hold the strip |90 in engagement with the roller H5.

In some instances it is preferable to provide means for dividing the solvent forced through the apertures |28 into finer streams than would otherwise be obtained. Such means preferably comprises a very fine screen |91 soldered or otherwise secured to the tube |21 over the apertures |28.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the copy sheets are advanced from a copy sheet table to the bight between the rollers H5 and I6 which advance the copy sheets to the bight between the drum and the pressure roller H3. The roller H5 applies a film of solvent to the upper surface of the copy sheets and this solvent softens a small amount of the carbon on the master sheet so that the data on the master sheet is duplicated in positive upon the copy sheets. The roller H5 rotates in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 5) and the solvent sprayed thereon must pass between the roller H5 and the strip |90 which spreads the solvent over the roller H5 to obtain a suitable iilm of solvent thereon as it rotates into contact with the copy sheets.

Rollers H5 and H6 are preferably formed from the same materials as the rollers |5 and I6, respectively. It will be noted that said materials are non-fibrous.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the reference character 21a designates a tube which may be employed in place of the tube 21 described above. The tube 21a is bent at one end to communicate with the flexible tube 34 whereby solvent may be delivered to the tube 21a. The left hand end (Fig. 7) of the tube 21a is closed by a plug 21h and projecting through the tube from the plug 21b is a helical member 21e preferably formed from sheet metal which is twisted to give it the helical formation. The left hand end (Fig. 7) of the tube 21a is detachably mounted on a pin 16a which corresponds to the pin 16 described above. The tube 21a is provided with apertures 28a which correspond to the apertures 28 described above and have the same function. When the solvent is forced into the tube 21a it normally tends to enter the tube with such pressure that most of it travels directly to the left hand end (Fig. '1) of the tube and generally a larger amount of the solvent is sprayed from the apertures 28a at the left hand end of the tube than is sprayed from the apertures 28a at the right hand end of the tube. The spiral member 21o retards this surge of liquid through the tube 21a and, therefore, substantially equal amounts of solvent are sprayed through all of the apertures 28a.

While there have been shown and described certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modications. Changes, therefore, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the appended claims, in which it is the intention to claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as possible,

vin view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. Moistening means for applying a -lm of liquid to one face of a sheet comprising in combination two rollers rotatably mounted in cooperative relation to each other for forwarding a sheet between them, means for driving one of said rollers for forwarding a sheet, means for spraying liquid on one of said rollers, and a strip of rubber-like material in the form of a sponge contacting said one roller in position for the liquid sprayed on the roller to pass between the roller and the strip before it is brought into contact with the other roller.

2. Moistening means for applying a thin film of liquid to one side of a paper sheet, or the like, said moistening means comprising rollers contacting opposite sides of the sheet, means for driving one of said rollers, means for spraying liquid on one of said rollers, and a strip of sponge rubber contacting the last-mentioned roller for spreading the liquid thereon 3. Moistening means for applying a thin film of liquid to one side of a paper sheet, or the like, said moistening means comprising rollers contacting opposite sides of the sheet, means for driving one of said rollers, means for spraying liquid on one of said rollers, and a strip of sponge neoprene contacting the last-mentioned roller for spreading the liquid thereon.

4. Moistening means for applying a thin lm of liquid to one side of a paper sheet, or the like, said moistening means comprising rollers contacting opposite sides of the sheet, means for driving one of said rollers, means for spraying liquid on one of said rollers and a plurality of strips of sponge rubber spaced circumferentialiy of the last-mentioned roller and contacting it,

for spreading the liquid, thereon. y

5. Moistening means for applying a thin film of liquid to one side of a paper sheet, or the like, said moistening means comprising rollers contacting opposite sides of the sheet, means for driving one of said rollers. means for spraying liquid on one of said rollers. and a plurality of strips of sponge neoprene spaced circumferentially of the last-mentioned roller and contacting it for spreading the liquid thereon.

ARTHUR J. LEVENHAGEN. 

